Off-Season Race Recap: Marathon Relay

December 4, 2005, Forest Park, St. Louis
More than 100 four-person teams gathered on a cold, early-December Sunday to run the annual marathon relay race in Forest Park. After a 14th place showing in the 2004 event, the squad known as the Outlaws put this one on the calendar well ahead of the early-entry fee deadline. When Ryan went down with a freak injury, slipping on some ice, the team wasted no time signing the ever-willing Brad. After a re-branding retreat, our highly paid PR consultant advised us that a name change was in order. In honor of runner #3 Sami’s stylish copper-colored shorts, the 2005 edition of our relay team was dubbed “The Copper Outlaws.”

With great results leading up to the relay, Doug (aka “Nish”) would be the anchorman and go 4th and 8th as each runner covered the 3.25 mile course two times with a chilly hour of waiting in between. Doug was in good form, but had put in extra work on his transitions after the 2004 snafu, when he was nowhere to be found for his second run, forcing Ryan to run out of order with limited rest. “This year, I was very cognizant of the clock and making sure I was at the tag line. I learned my lesson in 2004,” said Doug, obviously still carrying the scars of that mental breakdown.

I started off the race, getting the advantage of running about 30 yards less than the other guys since the starting line was out in the street and not back by the tag line. I kept a decent pace and got to Brad’s outstretched hand in under 20 minutes and kept going straight into the bathroom. Brad proved to be a worthy replacement, running fairly even splits. “It was hard to know if the guys would accept me as a replacement runner, but they were generous with their support and pleased that I was in the right place at the right time for the tag," said the avid cyclist. "With the name change to Copper Outlaws, I felt like I was part of something new.” Sami showed off the team identity by not only donning the team color, but by doing so in the old school shorts-over-the-tights look. Despite mega-hours at the hospital, he motored around the course, large blue mittens and all. Doug rounded out the first half with a team-best time before we did it all over again.

For the second round, it seemed the temperature dropped and our times went up. As I passed by the team during my second loop, my face was frozen and my attempt at saying “No Copper, No Glory!” came out sounding like Charlie Brown’s teacher on the PA system. My stomach felt much better on my second run and I made it back feeling good about being done for the day. Brad, Sami, and Doug ran strong and transitioned seamlessly, as if we were one continuous Copper Outlaw instead of four. Doug crossed the line for a team time of 2:45.xx. Not as good as 2004, but the conditions were a little tougher. This was good for 13th place.

“That’s what a relay is all about: Being one with your team, knowing when the guy is going to show up, and being able to count to four,” said an unidentifiable voice from a post-race Outlaw huddle.

We had great race support from Elizabeth (aka “the coat rack”) and Paula. The sister-team “She Sharks” got hardware and came strong with banana bread and hot chocolate. Thanks and congratulations!